Odds to win 2012 Big 12 Conference

by Matt Foust on Friday, August 10th, 2012

Oklahoma was expected to dominate a revamped Big 12 last season, but the Sooners failed to meet expectations, finishing fourth in the 10 team league with a 6-3 conference record. Despite OU’s ‘down’ 2011 campaign, it is, once again, the favorite to win yet another new look Big 12. Odds to win 2012 Big 12 Conference have the Sooners listed as a 1/1 favorite to top the league standings. The Texas Longhorns are a second pick to win the Big 12 at 4/1 odds while conference newcomer West Virginia, presently a 5/1 play, is a third NCAAF Point Spreads pick to secure the league title.

The Favorites –

Oklahoma Sooners (1/1): Bob Stoops welcomes 15 starters and 49 lettermen back from last year’s 10-3 team, including Heisman Trophy candidate Landry Jones. Jones threw for 4463 yards and 29 touchdowns last season while leading the Sooners offense to a 39.5 point per game average. The defense (22.1 points per game allowed last season) brings back seven starters and will be coached by former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops after longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables moved on to Clemson. Oklahoma faces a tough slate in 2012 with most of its stiffest competition (Texas, West Virginia, TCU), with the exception of Kansas State and Oklahoma State, coming outside of Norman.

Texas Longhorns (4/1): After nine straight double digit win seasons, the Longhorns hit a major divot in 2010, finishing with a 5-7 record. The team rebounded in 2011, closing out the year with an 8-5 record after defeating California 21-10 in the Holiday Bowl, but the season still failed to live up to the Mack Brown era standard. That is expected to change this season, though. While the Longhorns have some question marks on offense, most notably at quarterback, they should have little difficulty running the ball and they will field the Big 12’s best defense.

West Virginia Mountaineers (5/1): West Virginia topped the Big East last season and closed out its 2011 campaign in emphatic fashion, drubbing ACC champion Clemson 70-33 in the Orange Bowl. With eight starters back on offense and six on defense, the Mountaineers should be able to handle what is certainly a step up in competition. If nothing else, West Virginia, which will be led by senior quarterback Geno Smith (threw for 4385 yards and 31 touchdowns last season), should match points with some of the Big 12’s more potent offenses.